Residents in Hunter Street, Rugby, look set to lose their fight to get a public access point from their road closed.

Three residents wanted Rugby Borough Council to close the access point from Hunter Street, near the town centre, to nature reserve area Great Central Way.

They said their road had become a target for dumped stolen cars and anti-social behaviour because criminals knew they could escape down the path.

Although police agreed the residents were facing problems, officers recommended that the walkway access should not be closed.

Rugby borough council director of technical services Ian Davis said: ?The access has been used for many years so there is the potential for a legal challenge to closure being made.

?Over the past two years, works have been carried out to reduce nuisance and damage to residents through misuse of the walk by the installation of bollards, railings, the planting of trees and better barriers at access points.

?This undoubtedly has improved the security of the area,? he added.

A final decision is set to be made at a leisure panel meeting on Tuesday.